in the barn. Her throat and mouth flashed dry as she watched him rake something straw-like from a stall. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up, and his biceps rocked with every pull of his arms. Tight muscles showed under the jeans, under his shirt—damn, he was just so good looking from boots all the way up to his slightly mussed hair. A throb hit between her legs and she bit her lip. There was nothing wrong with her physical response.
She took a deep breath. “Hey.”
The delight in his eyes stirred more fluttering in her belly. “Beth. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
She glanced around. None of the rest of the Colemans seemed to be near. “You got a minute? My boys are at a birthday party and I…” Holy cow, this was harder than she thought it would be. She forced her head up and met his gaze. “We need to talk.”
Daniel grinned, a panty-twisting expression that made her knees weak. He propped his rake against the wooden wall and tilted his head toward the door. “Come, we can talk while we walk.”
“No.” Her fingers were tangled together, and she dragged them apart, not sure where to put her hands. She felt about twelve years old with a first crush. “We’re private here—that would be better.”
He gestured to a bale. “Have a seat.”
She’d practiced this so it didn’t sound too desperate or sluttish. She hoped. “I was thinking about what you said the other day—”
“About us seeing each other?”
He sat beside her, their thighs touching as he faced the opposite direction. The scent of his skin rolled over her, the earthy fragrance of a man who’d done physical labour—raw and powerful. She barely stopped herself from leaning into him and offering her lips.
Instead, she nodded.
Daniel chuckled. “You’re getting all tongue-tied again, Miss Beth.”
“I’m interested in you, but I’m not looking for a long-term relationship.” The words burst out exactly how she’d rehearsed them. She twisted to face him, determined to finish. “I think we should just have some fun together.”
There. She’d said it. Maintaining eye contact was impossible, and she stared down at her fingers twisted together in her lap. He covered her hands with his, pulling one free.
“Now why did I think you were going to go and say something like that?”
He did? “I mean, you’re very attractive, but I don’t think I should get involved with anyone. It’s too soon and I don’t want—”
“The boys, right?”
Exactly . She relaxed a little. “I don’t think it’s fair for them to see me with another man.” Oh Lord, he was kissing her knuckles, his tongue teasing the seam between her fingers. The pulse between her legs quickened, and she had to force herself to stay motionless.
“Hmm. Makes sense, I guess.” He opened her palm and kissed it. “So, you’re interested in me sexually, but we can’t see each other in public. Is that what you’re saying?”
A shiver raced up her arm as he licked her wrist then gently sucked her skin.
“Yes. No. I mean…” How was she supposed to think with him touching her? When he leaned closer and nibbled on her earlobe? “Daniel, please.”
“I aim to.” He smoothed a hand over her shoulder, tangling his fingers in her hair. He pulled her head back so they could see into each other’s eyes. “You want to spend time with me.”
“Yes.”
“But the boys can’t know?”
She swallowed, watching his lips move closer. “Right.”
“Hmm.” He kissed her, lips faintly brushing back and forth as he directed the speed, the pressure. She slipped out her tongue to touch his bottom lip, and he captured her, sucking her tongue into his mouth. The kiss deepened, and she wrapped her arms around him, pressing as close as she could while seated side by side. The desire and need that had haunted her since the start of summer built to a high boil, and she gasped for air when he broke contact.
He traced a path over her body with his gaze.